why do car races run counter clockwise?

Answer 1

Safety,to keep the driver away from the barrier.In Aus we go clockwise, because our steering wheels are on the right.

Answer 2

Not all racing is done counter-clockwise. In Formula 1, for example, out of the 18 tracks used, only 3 or 4 go counter-clockwise; plus the Indianapolis track, which includes part of the speedway, is run clockwise.

Answer 3

they have been operating counter clockwise on condition that Roman situations, do not (sorry) do not comprehend why. they do no longer run clockwise in Europe, yet they do run clockwise in Australia, New Zealand and England. the same way they force in those international places. So if you're making a guess on a horse from one in all those international places, if the race is over 6 furlongs your horse will likely lose because he's not used to turning counter clockwise

Answer 4

Ovals run "counter clockwise", so I assume that's what you mean. Why do they do that? Sometimes it's the geography of the track that was built on (eg. Imola). In the case of Americans, what do you expect? They're so right-wing they can only turn left on track to compensate.

It makes more sense to have races run clockwise. They accelerator is on the right, so the left foot is the "dead man" foot. When you turn right, the g-forces push the driver to the left and the left leg can be used to brace the driver's body weight.

Turning left, high g-forces put the body weight into the driver's thigh (which can affect his use of the pedals) or into his abdomen (affecting his breathing). Clockwise road courses are marginally safer.


.

Answer 5

In the old days, before the advent of real racetracks, a lot of automobile races were held on horse racing tracks. I.E. (dover downs hosted many car races as well as being a horse racing track). The horses travelled counterclockwise and it was only natural that automobile races traveled the same direction. Contrary to popular opinion, most racecars in the early years lacked a passenger side except when the car had an on-board mechanic. Most racecars from that era were of the midget and sprint car variety where the driver sat in the middle of the car and would be as close to the wall from either side of the car.

Answer 6

Only in America do they do that. In the rest of the world, they go according to how the track designer intended the course to run, which is usually clockwise.

The only reason I've heard for the counter-clockwise racing in America is to simply not do what the rest of the world does.

That's it. Rather silly if you ask me.

Answer 7

I don't know. Different sports races run counter clockwise also -
Horse racing
1/4 mile track (runners), hurdles, relay
Speed skating
Motorcycle - dirt track, speedway, MX, road race (like on Daytona speedway).
Roller Ball - roller skaters going around a track

Answer 8

Look at where the steering wheel is, and look at where the wall is. If that doesn't explain it enough, I'm sorry that it's such a compluicated topic.

ANd in other countries where the steering wheel is on the opposite side, guess what, they race clockwise. See a pattern?

Answer 9

because in an accident, the right side, or passenger side of the car is most likely to hit the wall. the most dangerous crash in racing is a driver side impact on the wall. there's nothing there between the driver and the wall to crumple and absorb the enegy of the crash.

Answer 10

Because thats the side the driver is on....Its to resemble driving down a normal driver or street.